Body Found in Sandoval County

(SANDOVAL COUNTY, N.M.) -- Human remains were found Friday on the West Mesa, ABC News Albuquerque affiliate KOAT-TV reports.

Authorities believe the remains could belong to Elvis Delaney, a Rio Rancho man who went missing in 2007. Detectives found an abandoned car registered to Delaney’s mother.

"Our detectives do have an individual in mind who they'd like to speak with. Contact with him has been made. He has not come in for a discussion with our detectives," Sandoval County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jessica Mascarenas said.

Authorities are waiting on DNA tests before confirming the identity of the body.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Infamous Burglar Shot to Death in Sante Fe

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Police say one of Santa Fe's infamous burglars was shot to death Wednesday night at a neighborhood park, ABC affiliate KOAT reports.

Juan Soto was discovered by investigators bleeding on a porch near Monica Lucero Park. There was a trail of blood leading from the park to the house.

“I've got a man at my front door bleeding. He can barely stand up!” said the man who called 911. “He's got blood everywhere. He's really bleeding bad!"

Soto later died at the hospital. Another man who was with him was also hurt, but expected to recover.

Police discovered bullet holes through the window's of the second victim's SUV. They aren't clear about who shot them or why, but believe it has to do with their criminal background.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

NM Sees Significant Drop in Unemployment Rate

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- The month of April saw a significant decline in New Mexico's unemployment rate, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said in a report Friday.

The bureau said in April the state's unemployment rate stood at 6.9 percent, down 0.3 percent from the previous month.

The national unemployment rate for April was 8.1 percent, down from 8.2 percent the previous month.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Albuquerque Firefighter Quits After DWI Incident

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- A firefighter in Albuquerque, who was arrested for DWI on Tuesday night, has quit the department, ABC News Albuquerque affiliate KOAT-TV reports.

Dominic Otero was charged with aggravated DWI after he was caught driving south on Edith Boulevard without his lights on. Otero also had trouble staying in his proper lane.

"We have no tolerance for criminal misconduct, and over the past two years, seven firefighters have been removed, resigned or terminated from AFD for misconduct," Albuquerque Fire Department Chief James Breen said.

Otero was with the AFD for 16 years. This was his second DWI offense.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Two Bodies Found in Northeast Albuquerque

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Albuquerque police have found two dead bodies in a home in Northeast Albuquerque, according to ABC affiliate KOAT-TV.

The bodies were found on the 5900 block of Knollwood NE, and authorities say it appears the victims had been dead for several days.  The medical examiner concluded one of the deaths as a homicide, and the cause of death for the second body has not yet been determined.

According to the report, neighbors said a man and a woman, either in their 50's or 60's, lived in the home where the bodies were found.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Las Cruces Soldier Killed in IED Attack in Afghanistan

(WASHINGTON) -- A soldier from New Mexico has been killed in a bomb attack while serving in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

A news release from the department states that Staff Sgt. Israel P. Nuanes, 38, of Las Cruces, N.M., was killed on May 12 in an attack by enemy forces with an improvised explosive device.

Nuanes was assigned to 741st Ordnance Company in Fort Bliss, Texas, part of the 84th Ordnance Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Environmentalists Protest at PNM Shareholders Meeting

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- The coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico got another push to close its operations after environmental groups protested Tuesday during the Public Service Company of New Mexico's annual shareholders' meeting in Albuquerque, ABC News Albuquerque affiliate KOAT-TV reports.

Nearly 50 environmentalists turned up to fight the plant’s operations that have produced invasive pollution, and prompted a federal order to install equipment to reduce haze. The cost to do so ranges from $350 million to $750 million, which has PNM officials concerned that ratepayers will have to foot the bill.

Environmental officials in New Mexico have proposed cheaper alternative.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Woman Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Money Laundering

(LAS CRUCES, N.M.) -- A Las Cruces woman has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to launder money.

In addition to the prison time, Deniece Sanchez, 34, has also been ordered to pay $144,494.27 in restitution to Farmers Insurance Agency.

Authorities say Sanchez and her now estranged husband Joseph Reyes Montes, 39, conspired to submit fraudulent insurance claims to Farmers Insurance Agency on over 30 separate occasions between March 2007 and August 2009.

In July 2011, Montes was also sentenced to a year and a day in prison.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Drought Declared In New Mexico

(SANTA FE, N.M.) -- New Mexico Governor Susan Martinez has declared the entire state is in a drought, according to the New Mexico Business Weekly.

The governor's declaration means communities in need could get federal funding. 

According to the report, New Mexico state engineer Scott Verhines says 2011 was the second driest year on record in New Mexico, and 90 percent of the state experienced drought conditions in the past year.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Fire Ban Issued in Santa Fe Due to Area's Dry Conditions

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- A fire ban was issued by the Santa Fe Fire Department on Tuesday due to dry "emergency conditions,” ABC News Albuquerque affiliate KOAT-TV reports.

Under the restrictions, campfires, pit barbecues, bonfires and all other open burning will not be allowed. Grilling in public parks will also not be allowed.

The department reported the restrictions will be in place until further notice.

Violators of the restrictions could face $500 fines and up to 90 days in jail.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio